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1976 Stepside shuts off #2550053
09/14/18 06:23 PM
09/14/18 06:23 PM
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Bay area, CA
Californian Offline OP
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My 76 has a 360 and 727 and we are having an issue where the engine just shuts off. Thermoquad was purchased as rebuilt form a forum member but divorced choke issues made it seem like fuel was leaking from the throttle shafts (that was user error). While getting it checked out the mechanic was running it for a few minutes and it just shut off. It will fire right back up so it's not looking like fuel issues.

I have had the truck just cut out while trying to park and it will fire right back up each time. My suspicion is electrical issues. i have a spare FBO distributor and chrome ignition box. new starter relay and ballast resistor are installed. Currently running a factory distributor and FBO ignition box.

sometimes the truck acts like a neutral safety switch issue where it doesn't want to start- no crank- nothing- but then it will crank and start. new neutral safety switch didn't change anything.

Could it be the ignition wiring in the column? Other ideas?
We have owned this truck since new so ask any pertinent questions to gather more info.

Thanks for the help!!


1976 Dodge Californian 360, Thermoquad, 727 trans, 9.25 rear with 3.21 gears and a sure grip style rear.
Re: 1976 Stepside shuts off [Re: Californian] #2550077
09/14/18 07:49 PM
09/14/18 07:49 PM
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Western Colorado High Desert
moparmarks Offline
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Bulkhead or ignition switch. Have had the same issues with either one.


72 Satellite Sebring Plus 440, 72 Dart 5.9 4-spd, 68 Valiant, 73 W200, 78 D100 sb, 78 D200, 98 DAKOTA, .
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Re: 1976 Stepside shuts off [Re: moparmarks] #2550093
09/14/18 08:48 PM
09/14/18 08:48 PM
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Between Houston & Galveston TX
SattyNoCar Offline
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Used to own a '76 Club Cab with similar issue, turned out to be a connection issue where the ignition switch plugs into the main harness (midway down the column).

I found the issue by accident. Sitting with the truck one night waiting for it to warm up, I saw a very faint flash down low and the truck cut off. Closer inspection the next day, (if I remember correctly) the main power line and the start line were burnt at the connection.


John

The dream is dead, long live the dream.......😥
Re: 1976 Stepside shuts off [Re: SattyNoCar] #2550100
09/14/18 09:07 PM
09/14/18 09:07 PM
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Emmett, Idaho
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SuperStockWagon Offline
mopar
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Emmett, Idaho
Bulkhead at the firewall or the amp gauge connections are melting down.


NHRA Stock/SuperStock Class Racing..Engineered Muscle In Motion!
Re: 1976 Stepside shuts off [Re: Californian] #2550128
09/14/18 10:53 PM
09/14/18 10:53 PM
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Freeport IL USA
poorboy Offline
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My dad had a 76 Dodge pickup we went through this process with many years ago. I think he replaced nearly everything on the truck searching for the cause. In our case, the wire terminal to the coil had all be a few wire strands that were broken. Installed both new terminals on the coil and he never had a problem again.

My advice? Carefully look the engine wiring harness over real good, starting at the bulkhead connector. Check every connection, if any connection looks even a little doubtful, change it. A little corrosion here and a little there add up to a problem at some point. Gene

Re: 1976 Stepside shuts off [Re: Californian] #2550156
09/15/18 12:20 AM
09/15/18 12:20 AM
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Grand Prairie,Texas
stumpy Offline
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iagree But as said earlier add the ignition wire harness on the column to the list

Re: 1976 Stepside shuts off [Re: Californian] #2550199
09/15/18 05:33 AM
09/15/18 05:33 AM
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Posts: 381
Bay area, CA
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Thanks for the tiips everyone! I just remembered that I had the stereo powered by a wire coming from the column with one of those cheap connectors that cuts into the wire. I'll mess with that first and proceed to the rest of the suggested connections!


1976 Dodge Californian 360, Thermoquad, 727 trans, 9.25 rear with 3.21 gears and a sure grip style rear.
Re: 1976 Stepside shuts off [Re: Californian] #2550221
09/15/18 10:07 AM
09/15/18 10:07 AM
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east side of Ohio
basketcase Offline
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definatly sounds like a loose/bad electrical connection.


Dave


1981 Dodge D150 360 auto
Re: 1976 Stepside shuts off [Re: Californian] #2550398
09/15/18 07:08 PM
09/15/18 07:08 PM
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Central Florida
larrymopar360 Offline
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And even the battery cables themselves.


Facts are stubborn things.
Re: 1976 Stepside shuts off [Re: Californian] #2550476
09/15/18 11:51 PM
09/15/18 11:51 PM
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Grand Prairie,Texas
stumpy Offline
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Battery cable wouldn't cause a shut off normally because the alternator will continue to supply enough power to run the truck.

Re: 1976 Stepside shuts off [Re: Californian] #2550535
09/16/18 05:31 AM
09/16/18 05:31 AM
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Posts: 381
Bay area, CA
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I drove the truck today and it shut off just as I got to my destination. Didn't think anything of it as it's done it before. Actually shut off as I was backing up from my brother's house, but fired up.
Just went to start the truck and there's no power, no done light, no seat belt buzzer, no headlights. Don't have an oh meter to check but I saw two fuseable links from the battery cable. I'll be checking those tomorrow.


1976 Dodge Californian 360, Thermoquad, 727 trans, 9.25 rear with 3.21 gears and a sure grip style rear.
Re: 1976 Stepside shuts off [Re: Californian] #2550601
09/16/18 01:19 PM
09/16/18 01:19 PM
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Freeport IL USA
poorboy Offline
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Electrical problems are easier to find when the fail completely. Finding intermittent electrical problems is sometimes a real pain.
Unfortunately, the total failure usually occurs at a bad time. Hopefully it won't "fit itself" before you have time to chase down the problem. Gene

Re: 1976 Stepside shuts off [Re: Californian] #2550630
09/16/18 02:33 PM
09/16/18 02:33 PM
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Western Colorado High Desert
moparmarks Offline
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Originally Posted By Californian

Just went to start the truck and there's no power, no done light, no seat belt buzzer, no headlights.


That says bulkhead all over it. Check the big red wire at the bulkhead. Push on it really hard.


72 Satellite Sebring Plus 440, 72 Dart 5.9 4-spd, 68 Valiant, 73 W200, 78 D100 sb, 78 D200, 98 DAKOTA, .
Moparmarks Parts & Restorations
Desert Mopar Metal
Grand Jct. CO
970-261-7039
http://moparmark.com/
motormangj@gmail.com
Re: 1976 Stepside shuts off [Re: Californian] #2550661
09/16/18 04:22 PM
09/16/18 04:22 PM
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Posts: 381
Bay area, CA
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Does anyone know the amp rating of the fuseable links? If I need to replace them, I don't want to go too high and burn something, or too low and have them fail often.


1976 Dodge Californian 360, Thermoquad, 727 trans, 9.25 rear with 3.21 gears and a sure grip style rear.
Re: 1976 Stepside shuts off [Re: moparmarks] #2550663
09/16/18 04:23 PM
09/16/18 04:23 PM
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Originally Posted By moparmarks
Originally Posted By Californian

Just went to start the truck and there's no power, no done light, no seat belt buzzer, no headlights.


That says bulkhead all over it. Check the big red wire at the bulkhead. Push on it really hard.


I'll check that!


1976 Dodge Californian 360, Thermoquad, 727 trans, 9.25 rear with 3.21 gears and a sure grip style rear.
Re: 1976 Stepside shuts off [Re: Californian] #2550664
09/16/18 04:24 PM
09/16/18 04:24 PM
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Someplace you aren't
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SomeCarGuy Offline
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I’m going with bulkhead and or amp gauge


I want my fair share
Re: 1976 Stepside shuts off [Re: Californian] #2550665
09/16/18 04:25 PM
09/16/18 04:25 PM
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SomeCarGuy Offline
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Fusible links are 4 wire numbers smaller than the wire they are protecting. So a 12 fusible protects an 8 wire etc.


I want my fair share
Re: 1976 Stepside shuts off [Re: SomeCarGuy] #2550714
09/16/18 07:08 PM
09/16/18 07:08 PM
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SattyNoCar Offline
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BUT.....(correct me if I'm wrong) a fusable link is much like a regular fuse in that it's either good, or it's not. There is no in between.

Check that bulkhead. You'll probably find a few burnt/melted connections.

twocents

Re: 1976 Stepside shuts off [Re: SattyNoCar] #2550781
09/16/18 09:36 PM
09/16/18 09:36 PM
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Central Florida
larrymopar360 Offline
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Originally Posted By Satilite73

BUT.....(correct me if I'm wrong) a fusable link is much like a regular fuse in that it's either good, or it's not. There is no in between.

Check that bulkhead. You'll probably find a few burnt/melted connections.

twocents
Seems logical. I've only had one fusable link failure, and there was no intermittent issue. It just left me stranded, no warning.


Facts are stubborn things.
Re: 1976 Stepside shuts off [Re: Californian] #2550823
09/16/18 10:56 PM
09/16/18 10:56 PM
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Posts: 381
Bay area, CA
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It looks like a loose stud at the ammeter. I've taken the gauge out and bolted the connectors together and wrapped it with lots of tape. It will run and I will try getting it home now.

The fuseable links checked out ok too. In the past when one failed, it was like a blown fuse.
Thanks for the tip on 4 gauges smaller on the wire size!

What is the company that converts the dash and harness from ammeter to volt meter?


1976 Dodge Californian 360, Thermoquad, 727 trans, 9.25 rear with 3.21 gears and a sure grip style rear.






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